Well, upon re-reading the press release it seems this "pre inspection" was performed by A.S.O. officials. So if once again the air inflation system is determined to not be in compliance with the rules as interpreted by F.I.M. tribunal barristers during "post inspection" there could be trouble :huh
This F5'ing chit is really getting way out in the deep camel grass now

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Sounds very much like the left hand doesn't know what the right one's doing, or is it more sinister than that?:eek1

A couple of years ago we were returning from 11 days of Baja paradise during the 250. Stopped at Matome wash to watch some racing, Robby had just gone by, Dammit. Later on we rode into San Felipe and stopped near the finish where the sand hits the pavement. Here comes Robby, never came off the throttle, sideways across the asphalt right at us, beautiful slide, hit the finish about 10 seconds later. Scared the shit out of us, He was racing start to finish, balls 2 the wall. I think he DQ'd somehow. But no doubt was and is the crowd favorite, Mine too. Thanks, Larry Boy.

I'm pretty sure they aren't running the same deflation system as last year since that one was against the rules. I like a team that will push the limits of the rules, it's not cheating until you get caught.

Did it say in the rules that a tire inflation system could not be used ?
Nope.
Did it say in the rule book that the tire inflation system could not be hooked up after the restrictor ?
Nope.
Would the tire inflation system work if it was connected before the restistor ?
Nope.

Agree with you Larry, the rule book is there to be used to see how not so smart the writers of the rule book are.

Did it say in the rules that a tire inflation system could not be used ?
Nope.
Did it say in the rule book that the tire inflation system could not be hooked up after the restrictor ?
Nope.
Would the tire inflation system work if it was connected before the restistor ?
Nope.

>

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Actually, the answers are nope, yeah, yeah.

The rule book say nothing that may be connected in to the inlet after the restrictor. The fact it couldn't make a blind bit of difference to the engine power is kinda irrelevant.

The tyre system would have worked without being connected to anything. The offending tube was on the deflation side of the system. Hooking it inti the inlet - which is below ambient pressure - just allowed them to let the tyres down slightly faster.

The rule book say nothing that may be connected in to the inlet after the restrictor. The fact it couldn't make a blind bit of difference to the engine power is kinda irrelevant.

The tyre system would have worked without being connected to anything. The offending tube was on the deflation side of the system. Hooking it inti the inlet - which is below ambient pressure - just allowed them to let the tyres down slightly faster.

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What about vacum assisted devices ( brakes etc ) in the Mini's, or other cars ?
Those vacum hoses are connected to the intake.

Or is it only apply to a restrictor plate engine being only RG's Hummer ?

I can't help but root for the guy. One hell of a driver and showman even if he goes over the top on occasions.

Does anyone know the details of last year's offending deflation device? Where tube entered the intake and where the restrictor plate is placed? ASO claimed it could add power but if the inlet was after the carb, a significant amount of air would only mess up the air/fuel ratio on the lean side resulting in a loss of power. If the restrictor was before the carb it would act like a choke.

His engine builder is a hero. Any motor that can do this for 12 to 18 hours is an incredible machine.

"The A.S.O and the team agreed on a pre-check inspection of the Dakar HUMMER prior to being approved to race. Once the detailed inspection of the Dakar HUMMER and its air-inflation system by A.S.O. officials, the team was approved to officially race the 2013 Dakar Rally."

They will DQ him if he's far enough ahead. I wish all the French sanctioning bodies would just fucking die. Seriously.

I agree completely. His personality rubs me the wrong way sometimes, but his driving, and the way the spectators react to him, won me over. And the ruling last year was BS, IMHO. I hope he kicks ass this year. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

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I look fwd to Dakar w/ Robbie. Wish Jonah were there, but he has given his all in a tough profession.